Wichita eagle., 1887-05-04
THE WHISKY ELEMENT ALARMED.

THE WHISKY ELEMENT ALAhM ELL.
Globe Democ at.
The alarm which has been manifested by
the leading liquor dealers throughout the
country the past few weeks Is one OF the
most significant and encouraging signs of
the times. Representatives of the whisky
Interest realize at last that their industry is
in peril, and are taking measures to pro-
,ct themselves. During nearly all the
Years which have interviewed between the
tune of the organization of the first tenn
perance society in the United States and
the early portion Of the present year the
LIQUOR men considered Themselves masters
of the situation. It is probable, to be sure,
that they felt some fear when the early
crusades against the rum evil were inaug-
uratei about half century ago, but that
EN- ,IiCn was successfully transformed into
contempt, amusement and indifference as
they realized their own
powers snd tie weakne of their
foes. But all this has been changed since
the beginning of the present year. The
old arrogance and swagger has departed,
and in its place has appeared decided
manifestation of dread at the perils by
which they have suddenly found them.
selves confronted.
Within the past two or three days the
whisky element of Louisville has raised
81. 900 as campaign fund To combat che
temperance agitation which has, to them.
at last assumed alarming proportions.
Cincinnati is expected To make large
contribution also, and the st. Louis liquor
industry is to be asked at once to make
liberal expenditure in behalf of the cause.
The Western Whisky Pool will, no doubt,
ne required to furnish other thousands Of
dollars, while the liquor mems National
Protective association is relief on TO pro-
vide sum at least partially cOmmensu-
rate with the interest which it possesses in
maintaining the rum traffic at its present
limit.
1t must be conceded that the liquor ele-
meut has good cause for alarm. The
country is aroused regarding the exc t and
enormity of the whiskey evil as it has never
been aroused before The money which
Louisville has raised and which st Louis
/. expected to raise is for use in combating
the prohibition crusade 10 Texas But the
Texas movement would not be considered
perilious to tbe whisky interest If it were
al all peculiar to that commonwealth. 1t
is the fact that Texas is only one of many
states in which prohibition has become the
controlling interest of the time, which rem
d,rs the situation so full of portent to the
dealers in rum. In some sections the bat
Tie against whisky takes the form of local
option, in 9th rs high license and ia still
81 herS total Prohibition. But in some one
# rhese places war is beginning TO he
ma lie to restrict the evils of the rum trade
sucn as the country has never known in all
its previous history.
Heretofore the whisky men have relied
upon the supp 1t of the Democratic party
! 10 protect them in their uuholy vocation.
Ii most Of the large cities Of the country
that party predominates, and in those
places the liquor cure is seen in all its
h deousness Bat the aroused moral sen
timenJ IF the country has affected even
that organization, and at the present time
we see Democratic Georgia waging rs de-
termiued war of hostility against rum
as is being prosecuted in the r publican
states "f Maine, Iowa and Kansas while
| Republican Michigan and Democratic
| Texas fight shoulder to shoulder in their
enaeavor to secure the passage of pr, :
| hibitOry amendment to the state conslitu
| ion
1t is not likely, Of course, that Texas
| nj lis coming election, Will declare IN favor
of prohibition. The prohibi,ory amend
nent will probably fail also in Tennessee,
As it has just failed in Michigan But the
vote. undoubtedly, will be close. and the
triumph for the whisky men, if they
should gain triumph at all, will be bar
ren one The forces which are arrayed
against the libuor evil are the forces of law
"r,icr and morality. and the ultimate vic
tory of those influences is ~ certain as is
the vitality and stability of the principle
which is steadily aud irresi~tioly i'm
polling society to a higher and
yrander development This victory may
nos mean a triumph for the particular spe
cies of repression termed prohibition. 10
deed. il probably will not 1t is much more
likely to take some form which will unite
The features of local option and high Ii
cense The liquor Industry Will not BE-
suppress d, but wholesome and needed re
straint vii. be thrown around it, it will
c.a>e to be dominant factor in American
politics. aud those who follow it will bt
compelled to obey the law like the remain
der of their fellow citizens